414: Chapter 414 An Extraordinary Man

Of course, it wasn't an exclamation of surprise, but of fear!

The originally lively chatter instantly quieted down; everyone subconsciously held their breath, their eyes filled with awe and fear.

Emilia, the strongest person in this world and the leader of the Demon Abyss Cult's Purification Faction.

A being that even Hua Liuli had to yield to.

Why would she come?

Hua Liuli's brows furrowed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Emilia, I didn't expect you to come. Please, have a seat!"

But Emilia merely waved her hand and walked straight toward the main table.

Her gaze first fell upon Chen Yi.

"Chen Yi!"

Emilia smiled and said, "I heard you did a magnificent job this time! Taking down the entire Black Ghost Market in just one day, truly impressive!"

She raised her wine glass and gestured toward Chen Yi.

Chen Yi quickly stood up. "Lady Emilia, you flatter me."

"I'm not flattering you at all!"

Emilia chuckled. "Even I admire your methods. However—Hua Liuli, have you forgotten something? I let you use my toy, but that doesn't mean he belongs to you, understand? Put away those messy thoughts of yours!"

The words sounded like a joke, but everyone could hear the underlying provocation.

Hua Liuli's expression instantly turned somewhat unsightly.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall became even more oppressive.

Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

A conflict of this level was not something they could involve themselves in.

Seeing this, Chen Yi's heart stirred.

He knew that Emilia was playing her role as a wingman!

Thus, he made a prompt decision, stepping forward to shield Hua Liuli.

His voice was calm but carried a clear coldness. "Lady Emilia, please watch your words!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire banquet hall fell into an instant silence.

Deathly silence!

A silence like that of the grave!

Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Chen Yi, as if they were witnessing something inconceivable.

Who was Emilia?

The strongest person in this world!

The leader of the Demon Abyss Cult's Purification Faction! An existence that even Hua Liuli didn't dare to provoke lightly!

But you, Chen Yi, a mere Beast Tamer, have you become arrogant just because you achieved some merit?

You dare to speak to Emilia like that?

Even if you just achieved merit, that's no excuse for causing trouble, is it?

Moreover, this was how Emilia and Hua Liuli usually interacted—mocking and testing each other, but never truly falling out!

What on earth are you doing?

Emilia's expression also instantly turned cold.

A hint of coldness flashed through her blood-red eyes.

The temperature in the entire banquet hall seemed to drop by several degrees.

Chen Yi did not back down at all, calmly meeting her gaze.

A few seconds later, Emilia suddenly gave a cold snort.

"Good, very good!"

Her voice was icy. "Hua Liuli, you really know how to mess with my toy!"

She said no more and turned to leave.

Her black skirt traced an elegant arc in the air before she disappeared through the banquet hall's entrance.

Leaving behind the shocked crowd and... Hua Liuli, whose heart was racing.

No one present noticed that the way Hua Liuli looked at Chen Yi suddenly held a hint of affection.

At that moment, her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.

How many years had it been?

For how many years, because her strength was inferior to Emilia's, had she been forced to endure every bit of Emilia's cold mockery, forcing a smile and pretending not to care?

For how many years had no one stepped forward, no one stopped Emilia's actions, as if everything was as it should be and she was meant to endure it all?

But Chen Yi was different!

Although she knew Chen Yi was controlled by Emilia's Suggestion and should logically be more obedient to her.

Yet he stood up for her, stepping forward to resist Emilia's behavior.

This was something no one had dared to do for thousands of years.

At that moment, for some reason, Hua Liuli's heart suddenly fluttered like a startled deer.

That feeling... was very strange.

Very unfamiliar.

But... she didn't hate it.

Perhaps, as a girl, she truly wished to see a man step forward when she was being wronged.

Even if she was a noble Queen, even if she had lived for countless years, it was the same!

That feeling of being protected... Hua Liuli's face flushed slightly.

Meanwhile, Chen Yi, as if nothing had happened, turned to Hua Liuli with a gentle smile. "My Queen, if you're in a bad mood, why don't you go rest for a while? If you can't sleep... I can tell you a bedtime story~~"

Upon hearing this, Hua Liuli's face instantly turned red.

"What are you talking about! Who wants to hear your stories! I'm not a child!"

However, the corners of her mouth, which she truly couldn't keep from smiling, turned up involuntarily.

This Chen Yi... how is he so smooth-tongued?

"You don't have to be a child to listen to stories!"

Chen Yi continued, his voice tender. "There's a child living in everyone's heart, and my Queen is no exception, right? Besides, the stories I tell are guaranteed to be very interesting!"

"Like what?"

Hua Liuli asked subconsciously, then immediately regretted it.

Wasn't this the same as admitting she wanted to hear them?

Chen Yi smiled. "For example... a story about a Queen and a Knight? Or a story about the stars and the moon? Which one would my Queen like to hear?"

"I don't want to hear either!"

Hua Liuli's face grew even redder. "You... stop talking!"

But her eyes betrayed her—there was a clear look of anticipation in them.

Chen Yi saw this and laughed inwardly, but remained serious on the surface. "Fine, since my Queen doesn't want to hear them, then forget it! But if you ever change your mind, you can find me anytime. I'm always on standby!"

"Who would change their mind!"

Hua Liuli snorted, but her voice had clearly softened.

She felt her heart beating faster and faster, and her face grew hotter.

This unfamiliar feeling... made her both flustered and... a bit fond of it.

Finally, she really couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm going back to my room!"

She said hurriedly, then left the banquet hall as if she were running away.

That flustered figure, those slightly flushed cheeks, and that involuntarily upturned mouth...

This scene left everyone completely stunned.

They had never seen Hua Liuli make such an expression before!

That Queen, who was always majestic, calm, and aloof, was actually... shy?

Running away?

This Chen Yi is simply incredible!

"Could it be... Chen Yi wants to woo the Queen?"

"Does the Queen also fall for handsome guys saying sweet words?"

"Shh! Keep it down! Do you want to die?"

The crowd discussed in low voices, and the way they looked at Chen Yi became even more complex.

Envy, jealousy, admiration, and... a hint of fear.

This man not only has ability and courage, but he can actually make the Queen's heart flutter...

Incredible, truly incredible!